“YEESSS, YES, YES, YES, YES, THAT’S WHAT YOU GET!” I smiled and jumped off the ground. The creature was helplessly dangling off the end of my dagger, squirming around as its world was ending.

I wanted to end its suffering, but I didn’t want this one to get away, to disappear within the depths of the ground once again. It took another 6 tries, but I finally landed a hit. The rush of satisfaction made it all worth it, even if my overall efficiency was yark.

The creature wiggled through the knife's handle as I kept it pressed into the tree. Another minute of struggle and it was all over, losing its ability to resist as it went slack.

“Now, do I cut off its head or something? Prepare it before I bring it back to the shop? Hm, just better bring the whole thing.” Not wanting to risk anything, I placed the whole thing in my bag, nudging it with the knife. “Ok, three more and I’ll call it a day. Anything more and I’ll need to buy a bigger bag.” I set off to the next tree, letting myself appear helpless once again as I laid against the twisting bark.

Before long, everything clicked now that I actually caught one, getting two more in the next 5 attempts. “YES, Only one more, and I’m really getting the hang of this.” The trick was to move at the last, last second, so the snake didn’t have time to respond accordingly. It was a fine margin, but waiting until that last moment made all the difference. Before, I just moved too soon, afraid of making a mistake and getting bit by the snake. With that fear gone, I just needed to time my actions accordingly, and that was it.

I sat down at another tree, standing by for the next attack. I still didn’t know why they came to attack me in such a consistent manner, but it worked for now and that’s all I cared about for the moment.

The creature's name, ‘flying snake,’ was quite misleading. Jumping snakes would be more appropriate as their body whipped itself with their tail, pushing off the ground to attack their prey. A unique tactic, for sure. But since I could cheat, it was fine by me.

I felt the lumps of the tree bark through my armor and the sun warm my skin through a gap in the branches above. I couldn’t really tell the time of day it was anymore, at least with any accuracy, but I could get a rough estimate based on nearby obstructions and where I felt the sunlight against my skin. Not super helpful, but enough for now.

My senses perked as another scaly reptile slithered my way, twisting and turning the dirt below. Now that I think about it, how did they know I was even here? Did they sense the vibrations as I walked or something? Somehow smell me through the dirt? Or even an ability of some sort?

As a monster, they definitely had some aspects that were… more natural to them… instincts? Maybe? But is that even an ability? An ability that amplifies their senses?

It launched out of the ground, cutting off my thoughts. The same way the others did before, straight and right towards my face. I watched it get closer than ever, waiting until the last second until I twisted to the side. I clenched the knife, bringing it down and pinning the creature against the tree.

“And that makes 4.” I said, grinning, as I pulled the knife from the tree. Letting the creature fall. “This is almost fun. Why don’t more people do this?”

“Crk.” Just as I reached down, a branch snapped from behind me. I focused my senses, seeing who exactly it was.

It was a woman standing a head taller with a thin sword at her waist.

A very familiar person who I sensed Yesterday, the one who took my room and had a killer kick.

She stood stout with a hand on her blade, peering at me and then at the snake laying dead on the ground. Her cheeks stretched as she smiled wildly, radiating pure joy and an unnerving creepiness.

Yark.

Preparing for the worst, I clenched my knife. Oh my mana! Why do you have to smile like that!

She took a few steps, getting ever closer. A giant man entered the frame a second later, coming from behind a tree off to the side with his large axe making quite obvious who it was. Hurack. “Hey, I’m not sure who you are, but is there any chance you could let us have your catch?”

Girl… I want nothing to do with whatever you have planned.

I thought these people had at least some good in them. How petty are they to take some Newby hunters’ catch? They could do much better than whatever I could manage. Heck, even her kick sent me flying across the room.

She stopped just a few steps away. “We couldn’t catch anything and we’re in a pinch. We… we can pay you back in a couple days or do you have anything you need? we could help…”

D… Does she not recognize me? I thought she did at first, with how quickly she introduced her problem, but is she that desperate?

Hmmmm…. Wait.

They couldn’t even replace the lock of the door back at the inn. But why aren’t they doing something that involves their skill set? I assume it’s not hunting if she’s asking me for what I caught, but… I shook my head. This is just confusing.

“Can’t you just hunt your own?” Just asking outright, since thinking wouldn’t do me any good.

“Ummmmm.” She scratched her neck, averting her eyes.

…

“Well…. You see…. Were unable… ummmmmmm. to afford concentrates… Sooooooooo, it isn’t really an option…. To be honest, this was just a last resort, something to get us going…”

Uhhh, what? Concentrates? What's that?

With her head slightly turned, her eyes peered back at me, awaiting my answer.

“I’m not sure…” Rather just not be involved with this.

“Uhhh! Uhhhh!” She took a step forward. “I can pay you back in a few days, please!” Her hesitance was immediately forgotten.

“Ummmmmm.” I’m…. I’m not sure about this, but I want nothing to do with them. She is the one who kicked me without a second thought, so with that in mind, I can just hunt another one. Not worth whatever trouble they could bring. They’re easy enough to hunt anyway, and I don’t need to deal with them. “Ahhh, you can have this one. I’ll just get another.”

“Ah.” She paused with her hands held out before a realization dawned on her. “Thank… Thank you. What… what would you like for a trade!” Taking another step, she invaded my personal space. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid…

“Woooh there, I don't need any item.”

“No Item? Then, then what would you like me to do?”

“No, no, I don’t need an item or you to do anything, just… just take this and leave.” I grabbed the snake, practically holding it to her chest.

She raised an eyebrow. “Nothing? This snake is worth 10 silver. No way would someone just hand it over. Just tell me what you want.”

GIRL! I’m trying to give it away, just yarking take it!

“Ahhhhh.” I sighed. “I don’t really care about the money. Life is just simpler this way. It’s all yours. I don’t really care that it’s worth 10 silver.”

She scrunched her eyebrows. “These things are normally quite squirmy, picking their targets carefully. Anything strong enough and they run like the wind. I almost had one earlier, but it ran away as soon as it sensed me.”

“Thanks, all yours.” I said, re-emphasizing with my hand that she should take it.

“Are… are you sure? Thanks, but is there anything you want? Not the biggest fan of free…. Ummm. charity… These snakes are quite valuable as medical ingredients... ”

Oh, come on. Just take it and leave. I don’t need anything, just fewer problems.

The silent brother walked up, speaking up. “Sorry. Still… Hurt?” Concern filling his voice.

Ohhhh, so at least one remembers…

The sister turned. “Hurt? What do you mean, Hurack?” He reached for his stomach, rubbing with his forearm. “Kick.” He looked right at me.

“What are you..” She said, before flipping her head back to me, her eyes widening, taking a second to realize the connection.

“Holy shit.” Her face went through a range of reactions before she finally got some more words out. “Oh man, asking for a measly snake because we’re so poor is bad enough, but having to ask from you just makes it..” An internal struggle showed on her face, before she finally broke out a sign. “Ahhh.”

“I’m already neck deep in it, anyway.” She rubbed her face, digging her fingers into the side of eyes. “Sorry again for the kick. Hope you’re doing… better now?”

“Wondering how long it would take, if at all, but it’s all fine. The night kinda went crazy, so everything else didn’t really matter anyways.”

“Ya, you can say that again. Had to bribe a guard, so we’re… kinda poor at the moment. We would’ve starved if we took on a normal mission that didn’t require our normal use of concentrates, so we’re trying to hunt without our normal supplies of scents.”

There’s that word again, concentrate. Not sure what that has to do with hunting.

Hmmmmmmm, as much as I don’t want to… It might be worth the pain. Ah, maybe I can learn something here. She seems knowledgeable, at least more than I am, so maybe? I don’t really want to, but considering her record… I could.

Yark, just go for it. “How good are you guys at hunting and fighting?”

She raised an eyebrow, but responded quickly. “We’re ok individually, but much better as a team. At least that’s what I would like to think. Hurack is quite strong, but lacks the ability to do anything… complex or delicate, for that matter. I act to fill that gap by making our actions smooth and coordinated. Overall, we’re second-rate warriors by the guild standards, and almost within first-rate classifications.”

This is going to suck…. But I was putting a plan together in my mind, one I didn’t want to do. “Ahhhhh, I…. I have an idea then, since you’re in need, how about a deal, for a shorter term thing” It may not be perfect, but should be enough.

She raised her eyebrow as the gears turned. “What are we talking about and for how long?”

Here it goes…

Man, I really don’t want to do this…

But I’ll need to do this eventually, can’t always be winging things.

Ok, let’s do it. “Teach me how to fight.”

…

I peered into her eyes. Well, if I had eyes. I remained completely still, remaining calm at the delivery as Laria didn’t respond. She shifted her weight as she peered back to Hurack, a hand on her chin.

With a jut back to me. “How much and what do you want to learn?”

…

I was… almost hoping she flat out rejected the idea… Come on Ayla, get you yark together.

Might be able to strike a good deal if anything. Is this how you did things, Mr. Good Deal Merchant of the name I can’t remember?

…

Welp, might as well tell the truth. “I suck at anything physical.”

I shook the knife in my hand. “So, we’d be starting at the beginning. And until I’m good enough, hopefully, but probably not over 2 weeks. 10 silver per day for a few hours of training and 5 for anything else interesting we do.” I didn’t know much about striking a deal, but I at least had to be confident.

Her eyes lit up at the mention of coin. A stable income for a couple of weeks, hopefully quite attractive, and considering their circumstances...

She took another look at her brother, who nodded back.

“Not sure we’re the best teachers, but we can do our best. It’s probably going to be me for most of this. Hurack is kinda a handful with his character. But the more important question is, where does a Factotum get so much money? Not really combat oriented, so an ability may not be on the table, but it shouldn’t be entirely useless.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I said, a bit proud. That was a good deal, right? I feel like she agreed too fast, but I guess desperate times call for desperate measures.

Not sure how well this is going to go either, but it’s worth the shot. Better than throwing myself to the wolves and trying to learn this first hand. Already had enough of that. “Perfect, you get paid after the training. You can also have the snake as a sign of appreciation.”

I set my things against the tree, preparing myself as I moved my shoulders around.

“You... Do you wanna start now?” She asked with a bit of uncertainty, watching me stretch. Wouldn’t want to pull another shoulder, that was already bad enough.

“Of course, no better time than now.” I’m not waiting any longer than needed. Be prepared for everything to go to yark in an instant, and every second of delay brings death one step closer. I’m either getting good at running or fighting my way directly through these things.

“Uhhhh, ok, sure thing Ms. Employer.” She followed my lead by removing the pack on her back. “Hurack, sit and watch around us. Anything that moves, say something or eliminate it, ok?”

He nodded, already looking around.

“Ayla, and you?”

“Laira. I’m good with all this ‘training,’ but are you going to wear that helm at all times? If I’m working with you, then it would be nice to see your face.” Laira said, probing.

My heart rocked, but I prepared for this very question. “My face got quite messed up back at Greycott. It kinda holds the bandages together.” Wasn’t a complete lie, but it should keep me safe for now.

She had a look, debating my words. Just can’t trust any random person, can you?

“Makes enough sense. I saw it back in Greycott, so I guess it’s not that much of a mystery. Hope it heals well and I’ll be careful not to hit your face. What do you want to start with?” Thank mana she didn’t question further, would’ve gotten real awkward, real fast.

I had a knife, but it would be no good for more than some light stabs here and there. I didn’t know what proper weapon, well… besides mana, that I would be using in the future. I wasn’t planning on showing them [Mana Bolt], but some hand to hand combat shouldn’t do me wrong, just getting used to moving around should do me plenty of good. Instead of doing the whole ‘freak out thing.’ I was getting quite good at that, but I didn’t want to make it a habit.

“Hand to hand? Don’t really use more than a knife now, but I would like to change that.”

“Makes sense. We can talk about what weapon you’d like on the way back, but any fighting experience carries over to an extent, so it sounds good. I can throw some hits to start. Just defend yourself.”

It was a little unnerving having someone who could literally kick me across the room facing me directly down, but there was only way this was going to get better.

Going to make a fool of myself, but I had to learn.

At least this was a controlled environment this time. I’m sick of on-the-job training, so to speak. Kinda reminds me of the Stool incident. Really hard to say how lucky I was, but I’m glad I’m still here.

I put my hands up, preparing to take the attacks ahead of me. Laira responded and began her approach, one slow step at a time. She circled around me as I slowly turned in response, waiting for the first move.

With a move of her waist, she sent a kick right to my chest. The night back at the inn flashed through my mind, and with my hands already up, I tightened my body and took the hit across my forearms. It stung beneath my armor, but I kept my focus.

“At least you can take that. Be prepared. I’m probably going to knock you right on your ass.” She charged rapidly after the words and sent a sweeping kick next.

I moved to jump over, but as I left the ground, she moved the trajectory of her leg, swinging it upwards and right towards my new position. With my fate sealed, I braced for impact.